Finance

How do I apply for certification as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise?

In accordance with 49 CFR Parts 23 and 26 and as approved by Resolution No. 373-99 of Columbus
Council, the City is a participant of the statewide Unified Certification Program. As part of this program,
the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is the certifying agency for Columbus Consolidated
Government.

City departments identify goods and services needed and send requests to the Purchasing Division
with all available information (including technical and contractual requirements and known vendors).
The Purchasing Division reviews the requests and gathers price information from vendors.

Prices are obtained in five ways, depending largely upon the amount and nature of the purchase:

$500 and less:

No competition required

$501 - $5,000:

The user department obtains three (3) written quotes.

$5,001 - $9,999:

Competitive Sealed Quotations

$10,000 and over:

Request for Bids & Request for Proposals

The City makes special efforts to assist DBE vendors (Disadvantaged Business Enterprises)
to participate in all facets of City procurement, such as encouraging
subcontracting of work on major contracts and requiring departments to obtain at
least one quote from a DBE vendor for purchase $501 - $5,000.

More detailed information on City purchasing procedures is given in the Procurement
Ordinance.